I am a former Recruit of the "Former Naval Station Training center in Orlando (Winter Park) Florida. I Attended in 1981. I was shocked to see that it's Gone. Please, I Have 2 favors to ask. 1. It was not a place for PUNISHMENT (infraction as stated). It was normal Basic 8 week boot camp just like U.S. Naval Recruit basic training command Great Lakes" or the same in San Diego, Califorinia. I recieved my 8 week basic training in Orlando with no INFRACTIONS!!! Please CORRECT this ERROR For a U.S. Serviceman. it's an embarrassment!!
kizzfrk@yahoo.com
2. is there any way to outline where the boundries of the base were? thanks.
Earl L. Hayes III

As a graduate of RTC Orlando, also in 1981, I can attest that the GRINDER was not used as punishment per se. It was where recruits learned how to march, and then if not done correctly, you may be doing some pushups. Orlando in July and August is a hot place and the asphalt even more so. But the " punishment" was both 2 hour ( mini) and 4 hour " motivational" tours conducted in front of the barracks on the quad. If there is any of my old shipmates from RTC Orlando ( Started boot Camp on 22 July 81, MMC Robinson and OS1 Conners were the Co. Cammanders ) out there, drop me a note. Look forward to hearing from ya.

From: sprhrntcdr
Tue May 25 20:33:03 -0700 2010

My Navy Career Started at RTC Orlando, I remember the Month of June and into July 1980 quite warm, and to a Young 18 year old the Military was a wake up. I never regret having joined the Navy. I had the Opportunity to later move up to the Commisioned Ranks, and be rewarded with the opportunity to Fly the Best Fighter and Strike/Fighter jets in the World. After a 27 year Career as a Naval Aviator and Having Retired as a Captain, I would do it all over again. I made countless friends over the years, seen many move up the ranks, and experienced the loss of Dedicated Individuals in the line of their duties. I Salute to all having served before me those still serving and those who one day wil serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

From: vincek
Thu Jun 21 09:43:13 -0700 2012

Co 429, 1975 - As much as we may have disliked things in boot camp, I can say some of my best memories come from boot camp. Still friends with a couple. Sad to see it go but some people thought it wasn't needed any longer.

From: Will001
Tue Jun 26 12:08:21 -0700 2012

Went thru in June 82 company 188 w/ Senior Chief Laflour. Here for my daughters volleyball tourney. Driving around looking for the place, haven't been here in 30 years. Still remember someone yelling at me for stepping on his bright work and didn't know what it meant. Still fold my skivvies thin, thick, thick, thin. Great memories.

I went through here in April 1973. Ours was the 31st company of women. I was on the drill team and performed at two graduations before my own. It was hot as hell in April and May, I can't even imagine August. If we maintained a certain gpa we got to go to Disneyworld. We did, however, have to wear our uniform. Our company had 2 of the most insane company commanders. They did "tear ups" of the barracks while we were in class. We would come home to insanity......red koolaid on the grout, orange wax drawings on the painted cinder block walls. But I do have memories of the music.....Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree, getting a "V" shaped tan line from the garrison cap, and the friends. It was a scary time and I made it through. I am so sad to see the place disappearing.

From: DOC
Mon Sep 29 11:22:49 -0700 2014

Boot Camp...3012..oct 1979..it was cold at 0crack30 in the morning..will never forget it...most girls cried..but it was a new road for me..we had male and female CC..sailor sailor dont be blue...Frankenstein was ugly too..U- g- l- y

I got to the training base on 11 DEC 1979 and graduated, but ruptured my spine in training for the Flag team about 2 weeks later, determined to finish. I had one sit-up left to do and I would have made it. I had tried out several times, that last sit-up I could never get, finished the entire training exercise, except ONE sit-up, everytime! I still graduated, I was tough. We all had to be back then. The men want to blow it off "oh, you women had it easy" we went through just as rough of training as they did, but didn't whine.(I'm kidding) not!. After a few years, that spinal fluid formed tumors on my Central Nervous System in my Spine. Pain got to be too much. You know Navy/VA Dr.s. They ignored the records, I graduated as a Blonde 155lb Male, lol, with a perfect medical record. I had to be wavered for my weight, I wasn't quite 126lbs, but had always been a long distance runner. I had a good friend named Linda Harris. My bunk mate, who helped me out while I was SIQ for a week, then light duty for 72 hours, no more PT for me. Bet they were jealous, ha ha. I didn't have to attend Galley week! But I was in the bed, could hardly feel my arms or legs for about 3 days. I wish I'd given up on the Flag Team long before I did. Shoulda woulda coulda, right. We were hard core, had to prove we were just as tough as the men! I wonder - if she ever reads this, send me a message. ImAnAmericanSoldier@gmail.com Sailor was taken, lol. Or any of my friends from the flag team or that I served with. One girl I remember, I always called her Sunshine so I don't remember her name. So many good women I served with, we put up with so much back then. I can't tell you how many times I was told "It's a man's Navy!" Some tried hard to make me give up, but it wasn't going to happen. There were good men too, don't get me wrong. But a few bad apples, can ruin the bunch. Know what I mean? Disabled Vet now. Trying to proof that spinal cord injury has been hard. They didn't do any tests,(that are on record) and trying to get the VA Dr.s to give you an MRI, impossible. I finally went to Duke. My GrandFather funded the building of that Hospital. I got my MRI in 2013. Dr.in basic said it was operable, but I was tough, they didn't do anything, not even record it. They told me to report to the Dr. at my next Duty station and I did. He said it was from stress and a back strain, but I had a large mass in my Lumbar Spine (they wrote it was probably Air and Fecal matter?)In my Spine? I didn't question it, just kept on trying, finally let me out because I couldn't lift over 30lbs without projectile vomitting blood and puke everywhere. CO of Milling Tn knows that all too well. I ran out of the Butcher shop after leveraging half a frozen cow up onto a ban-saw to cut steaks, throwing up blood all over his uniform and shiny shoes.... I bet HE remembers me! about a week later, before being stationed on a ship, I was asked if it would be ok to give me a rapid release, Honorable discharge though, I wouldn't have taken it if not for that. He didn't think as many times as I was at the Hospital for Spinal issues it would be a good idea to let me go aboard Ship. I guess not. They would have had to air flight me out if anything happened.Come to find out I had ruptured 3 disks, had 7-8 nerve root protrusions (ruptures too) couple of bulging disks, and when I slammed my head into the gym floor, after going into Spinal Shock! I hit my head so hard, I slipped two disks forward in my neck, and the top two Cervical Disks are floating!? (not attached, they move I guess - they were sideways). So all of you Service Men out there, don't ever think that women are week. Never underestimate a woman! We are tough as nails! I'm living proof, even if the VA Dr.s (?) don't think so. She will have your back quicker than anyone. That's all I gotta say about that... lol. Have a good one all.

From: dhm
Fri May 08 20:39:56 -0700 2015

The Grinder,in which there was a north and south... was a great place to do 8 count bodybuilders with scuffing up your boondockers grinding asphalt into the palms and a great dance club too of line dancing the Orlando shuffle

cut my hair and shaved my beard all because I volunteered
red lights were nightmarish even tell you how to lace your boots right over left and,,,,,light the shoe polish on fire